As the Chiefs’ season unravels, players can’t bring themselves to consider how bad it might get

Times are growing desperate in here, a space that seems to close in on them each game, each week, each day.

It feels tighter inside the new Chiefs locker room, designed for its openness and to comfortably accommodate more than 60 hulking men. They wander around, shoulders slumped and heads down, their eyes drawn to cell phones and their minds trying to find anything to distract them from 12 losses in a row.

It is the fourth week of the NFL season, and already the Chiefs are trying to cope with the prospect of a season spinning out of control.

“It’s bad, man,” linebacker Derrick Johnson says.

Johnson doesn’t look at the Chiefs’ schedule. It’s too painful. This team is trying to ease the pressure, not add to it. And Johnson knows that studying Kansas City’s next eight games would be unnerving, a boot in his gut.

Those eight opponents enter today with a combined 16-8 record. All eight could be playoff teams. Three of them have yet to lose.

Then there are the Chiefs, who have yet to win this season and who last won on Oct. 21 — of last year. Their best chance to steal a victory and snap the longest streak in franchise history might have been the last two weeks, when the hapless Oakland Raiders and the fledgling Atlanta Falcons trounced the Chiefs and sent them back to this locker room with nothing to look forward to until their schedule lightens on the final day of November.

No, Johnson has better things to occupy his mind than to study the schedule. Less stressful things. More pleasant things. Like the prospect of eternal damnation.

He’s sitting in front of his locker now, debating religion with defensive tackle T.J. Jackson. The men are discussing whether the Almighty frowns on men who sip alcohol on occasion.

“Yeah,” he says, pulling off his football socks. “That’s kind of how I think.”

They say something about heaven and hell, the joys of salvation and how long eternity must feel like. It’s heavy stuff, but when you spend time in this locker room, everything but football seems light by comparison.

Then someone interrupts, forcing Johnson’s mind back to football — like it or not.

“It’s hard to look ahead,” he says. “We could end up with a pretty good record, but we’ve got to get going. We don’t want to be in the sixth or seventh or eighth game going, ‘OK, we still need a win.’ That’s not good. We really don’t want to be in that situation at all.

For now, there’s no distraction to put his hands on. He remembers his conversation with Jackson and smiles.

“You’ve got to keep the faith,” he says.

• • •

The old pro had a bird’s-eye view of a meltdown, a prime seat to watch the Chiefs’ season unravel.

Rich Gannon was on good teams and bad ones, the kind that go to Super Bowls and the kind that step aside when better teams plow through. He’s a game analyst for CBS now, and he was in the booth two weeks ago when the Raiders beat the Chiefs by two touchdowns.

“Stunning,” says Gannon, a former quarterback for both the Chiefs and Raiders. “I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

Gannon says he wouldn’t have predicted the Raiders could rush for 300 yards. He wouldn’t have thought that the Chiefs’ running attack would go flaccid and that coach Herm Edwards would cycle through three quarterbacks in the first quarter.

Gannon says he noticed several problems that week that could haunt the Chiefs throughout these next eight games. They are problems that might persist and probably will make the Chiefs underdogs in each game until at least Nov. 30, when they play at Oakland.

Gannon says he thinks any NFL team can beat another, even the Chiefs, but for Kansas City to have a chance in the next two months, Edwards needs to choose a quarterback and stick with him until Brodie Croyle returns. And Edwards has to give that quarterback more than half the practice snaps, as Gannon says Damon Huard took before starting the Oakland game.

“That’s not nearly enough,” Gannon says. “Then they expect you to go out there Sunday and be sharp.”

That game appeared to be when the Chiefs hit bottom. The Raiders were young, mismanaged and immersed in chaos as embattled coach Lane Kiffin’s collar tightened. And they had no problem with the Chiefs, whose basic problems seem to be motivation and youth.

Then there was last week: Falcons 38, Chiefs 14.

“Believe me,” Edwards said in the days after that game, “I’ve never sat in this chair before. This is hard. To do this, this is hard. As a head coach, I’ve never lost three in a row. First three, I’ve never done that. I’ve lost two and fought my way out of it, but never three. So we’re all sitting in a place that’s not very comfortable to sit in.”

Those two games were supposed to be the slumpbusters. Instead, they drove the Chiefs deeper into a funk that has lasted nearly a year — and might last longer.

Gannon says the Chiefs would have to be perfect to surprise one of their next eight opponents. He says they have no clear strength, no star or dependable package they can rely on to carry the day. No, this team is in trouble, and there’s a good chance nothing will change unless the Chiefs play a flawless game.

“They’re not good enough to be off,” Gannon says.

Gannon says he did see some things two weeks ago that suggest Kansas City can win a game sometime in the next two months: Dwayne Bowe. Tony Gonzalez. A group of young players whose resiliency masks their inexperience.

Mostly, Gannon says, this team needs confidence. Edwards says one win would restore a year’s worth of bad vibes, and any old win would do. But it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

It’d be “like three Christmases rolled into one,” the coach says of winning a game. “And New Year’s.”

• • •

Will Franklin sits on his locker room stool and stares into space. He knows this feeling of losing, and knows it can change — even if it won’t change immediately, as the Chiefs hope.

He played at Missouri — before the Tigers were the toast of college football. He played on the weak teams and said there was a time after his sophomore season that things clicked and everyone knew MU’s troubles were over. He’s trying to believe that day is coming for the Chiefs.

Franklin wants to believe that the Chiefs’ problems will end this season. Heck, he wants to believe it’ll happen today. He also knows there have been no indications that Kansas City’s worst days have passed.

“Hey,” he says, “there ain’t no other way to go but up.”

For now, Franklin and many of the young Chiefs are trying to improve. Franklin wants to work his way into the starting lineup. Glenn Dorsey wants to be a force on the defensive front. Jamaal Charles and Brad Cottam want to show why the Chiefs drafted them.

Edwards says that while victories aren’t coming, the Chiefs have to concentrate on progress. Otherwise, this locker room might never be filled with joy. The Chiefs won’t ever stop looking for distractions from football. Won’t ever find something to feel good about. Not until the week they play Miami or Oakland or Cincinnati — some team that gives the Chiefs a chance.

“Once you get that one win,” running back Larry Johnson says, “a lot of things change. A lot of attitudes change. You start believing a lot more than you would if you were like, ‘All right, if we just hold on for a couple weeks; we’ll get it turned around.’

“I look at it as: Other teams are winning now. I look at it as: Other teams are taking us for granted. That’s what I’d rather have. When we go out there and really shock them, and they understand what we are about and how we play. That’s better than just trying to wait until we play a team that’s losing.”

Until then, this is the locker room’s mood: Left guard Brian Waters sits in a shadowy corner, alone. Bowe, the normally rambunctious 23-year-old receiver, has no jokes to make and no trash to talk. Bernard Pollard, the quirky safety who is almost always smiling, has nothing to smile about.

And Larry Johnson is lying on the floor. It’s 48 hours before kickoff of the Denver game, and the Chiefs’ running back is sprawled on the red carpet, one arm at his side and the other covering his eyes.

It’s that depressing in here. Until the Chiefs win, whether it’s an upset or a late-season triumph, this team wants something to take its mind off where it’s been and where it might be going.

“It’s what we’ve got to deal with,” Johnson says.

Then Johnson’s phone vibrates in his hand. It’s a text message. He reads it and smiles, and if only for a few seconds in the Chiefs’ locker room, there is relief.

4th and Long

09-27-2008, 10:34 PM

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, ... mass hysteria!

Reerun_KC

09-27-2008, 10:37 PM

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, ... mass hysteria!
ROFL

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 10:37 PM

Then Johnson’s phone vibrates in his hand. It’s a text message. He reads it and smiles.

LJ - Got 2 hookers + lotsa coke. Cum over!

- JZ

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 10:38 PM

Haha, JoPo picked the Broncos to win, 19-2.

Bearcat

09-27-2008, 10:39 PM

I really like the picture.

Remember to jiggle the handle when you're done, Herm.

Mecca

09-27-2008, 10:42 PM

Haha, JoPo picked the Broncos to win, 19-2.

If that was the score I'd consider holding the Broncos to 19 an accomplishment.

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 10:43 PM

If that was the score I'd consider holding the Broncos to 19 an accomplishment.

"Chiefs Show More Improvement Against Broncos."

WPI

Deberg_1990

09-27-2008, 10:44 PM

If that was the score I'd consider holding the Broncos to 19 an accomplishment.

Yea, hes actually being pretty generous to the Chiefs D.

My realistic guess:

Denver - 30

Chiefs -13

el borracho

09-27-2008, 10:45 PM

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, ... mass hysteria!

Tell him about the twinkie.

Reerun_KC

09-27-2008, 10:46 PM

I am actually looking forward to this game! It is going to be exciting watching Denver hang Herm out to dry....

I cant wait to see Herms dumbfounded look on his face as Denver is playing arena ball to the tune of a KC ass whipping...

Buehler445

09-27-2008, 10:53 PM

If that was the score I'd consider holding the Broncos to 19 an accomplishment.

Plus getting enough penetration for a safety...

rambleonthruthefog

09-27-2008, 11:11 PM

I cant wait to see Herms dumbfounded look on his face as Denver is playing arena ball to the tune of a KC ass whipping...

ROFL

FAX

09-27-2008, 11:20 PM

The really cool thing about this whole situation is this; when we do win a game (and, we have to win someday, I'm pretty sure of that), everybody will be completely astounded. And, it will be neat to see headlines like, "Chiefs Shock The World!!!".

FAX

whoman69

09-27-2008, 11:24 PM

Herm has got a short memory if he can't recall losing three in a row. He lost 9 in a row last year and 7 in a row his last season in New York.

4th and Long

09-27-2008, 11:27 PM

The really cool thing about this whole situation is this; when we do win a game (and, we have to win someday, I'm pretty sure of that), everybody will be completely astounded. And, it will be neat to see headlines like, "Chiefs Shock The World!!!".

We'll get a first down in the first quarter tomorrow. Probably two or three. I guarantee it!!!

MGRS13

09-27-2008, 11:53 PM

What happens when we break their record?

We get our name in the record book. YEA! And yes we will break their record.

4th and Long

09-27-2008, 11:54 PM

What happens when we break their record?
I don't want to find out. :shake:

Mecca

09-27-2008, 11:54 PM

Oh cmon this team hasn't even had a lead in a game since last December, we need to take this 1 step at a time.

4th and Long

09-27-2008, 11:55 PM

Mecca, this team is NOT THAT BAD.

We'll get a first down in the first quarter tomorrow. Probably two or three. I guarantee it!!!
And that equates to us not chalking up another defeat, ... how again? Come on, WarPaintVirginBasementDweller, clue us all in.

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 11:56 PM

Oh cmon this team hasn't even had a lead in a game since last December, we need to take this 1 step at a time.

So?

Last year's team is dead and gone.

Hopefully we've seen the last of Tyler Thigpen.

I'm expecting a first down on the first series of the game tomorrow. Huard is a good quarterback.

Are you really expecting us to flounder around on offense tomorrow?

MGRS13

09-27-2008, 11:56 PM

Oh cmon this team hasn't even had a lead in a game since last December, we need to take this 1 step at a time.

By getting a field goal on the first drive of the game? Only chance we ever have with herm and Co. of getting a lead.

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 11:56 PM

And that equates to us not chalking up another defeat, ... how again? Come on, WarPaintVirginBasementDweller, clue us all in.

No, we're going to lose. We suck.

But we don't suck as hard as 0-16. People are going overboard.

DaneMcCloud

09-27-2008, 11:57 PM

Tell him about the twinkie.

What about the twinkie?

Mecca

09-27-2008, 11:57 PM

So?

Last year's team is dead and gone.

Hopefully we've seen the last of Tyler Thigpen.

I'm expecting a first down on the first series of the game tomorrow. Huard is a good quarterback.

Are you really expecting us to flounder around on offense tomorrow?

Considering how they looked against Atlanta, I'm expecting this to be pretty ugly.

DaneMcCloud

09-27-2008, 11:57 PM

Huard is a good quarterback.

Here's where you lost me

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 11:57 PM

Considering how they looked against Atlanta, I'm expecting this to be pretty ugly.

TYLER THIGPEN

IS ON THE BENCH

Mecca

09-27-2008, 11:57 PM

No, we're going to lose. We suck.

But we don't suck as hard as 0-16. People are going overboard.

Really have you seen the schedule again?

Right now this is the worst team in the NFL.

chiefs1111

09-27-2008, 11:58 PM

By getting a field goal on the first drive of the game? Only chance we ever have with herm and Co. of getting a lead.

Yeah,if only our kicker could kick worth a damn

Mecca

09-27-2008, 11:58 PM

TYLER THIGPEN

IS ON THE BENCH

Damon Huard is not Peyton Manning.

Numbah One

09-27-2008, 11:58 PM

Damon Huard is not Peyton Manning.

Damon Huard is also not Tyler Thigpen. Not even close. Not even in the same goddamn universe.

4th and Long

09-27-2008, 11:58 PM

No, we're going to lose. We suck.
Everything you posted after that was pure speculation.

MGRS13

09-27-2008, 11:59 PM

No, we're going to lose. We suck.

But we don't suck as hard as 0-16. People are going overboard.

0-16 is easy if we keep herm we might make it 0-25 to 0-30.

SBK

09-27-2008, 11:59 PM

It's almost as hard to go 0-16 as it is to go 16-0. I think because of that, and only because of what history has been we're a 1-15 team. 2 wins will shock me.

chiefs1111

09-27-2008, 11:59 PM

Really have you seen the schedule again?

Right now this is the worst team in the NFL.

I thought maybe we would have a chance to beat Miami later this season,but I don't think so now...

Mecca

09-28-2008, 12:00 AM

I thought maybe we would have a chance to beat Miami later this season,but I don't think so now...

Ronnie Brown might break the rushing record that week.

boogblaster

09-28-2008, 12:00 AM

You play to win ... sometimes guts have to slashed ... we have no guts period .....

Skip Towne

09-28-2008, 12:01 AM

Mecca, this team is NOT THAT BAD.

We'll get a first down in the first quarter tomorrow. Probably two or three. I guarantee it!!!

Your guarantees are totally worthless. You just talk to hear your head rattle.

4th and Long

09-28-2008, 12:02 AM

You play to win ... sometimes guts have to slashed ... we have no guts period .....
You posting skills have not improved during my absence.

chiefs1111

09-28-2008, 12:02 AM

Ronnie Brown might break the rushing record that week.

If he stays healthy that is... If not it maybe Ricky Williams

Skip Towne

09-28-2008, 12:05 AM

Really have you seen the schedule again?

Right now this is the worst team in the NFL.

Among the worst teams ever. I suffered through the late 70's and 80's and it wasn't this bad. We actually won once in awhile back then. But, then, we threw downfield every now and then.

Mecca

09-28-2008, 12:06 AM

Did anyone notice that in the upper left of that picture it looks like Brandon Marshall is about to take a shit on that Chiefs head?

SBK

09-28-2008, 12:08 AM

Did anyone notice that in the upper left of that picture it looks like Brandon Marshall is about to take a shit on that Chiefs head?

I think we're all expecting that tomorrow, metaphorically speaking.

boogblaster

09-28-2008, 12:23 AM

Its like anything you might be outgunned but you have to give 110% then ... No we don't have a decent QB yes the coaching is predictable ... but players play the game and there're all pros.. only about 1800 per year out of thousands of players to pick from.. if you make it to the pros you should be act like one .. its not a right its a privilege ... this team has talent some real young some older but they don't play smart or tough ...

4th and Long

09-28-2008, 12:25 AM

Its like anything you might be outgunned but you have to give 110% then ... No we don't have a decent QB yes the coaching is predictable ... but players play the game and there're all pros.. only about 1800 per year out of thousands of players to pick from.. if you make it to the pros you should be act like one .. its not a right its a privilege ... this team has talent some real young some older but they don't play smart or tough ...
Please stop sniffing glue and learn how to punctuate.

Jewish Rabbi

09-28-2008, 12:29 AM

Please stop sniffing glue and learn how to punctuate.

u Dn't lyk, how hie ;rights?

boogblaster

09-28-2008, 12:36 AM

go back to snort'n briefs uncle 4th

KCJohnny

09-28-2008, 07:16 AM

Like quit? That would raise the fans morale which would at least make the fans a little louder, or at least show up.

Did you read the article? As a guy familiar with morale assesments, this scene is pretty bleak. The mental picture of LJ laying on the lockerroom floor with his hand over his face was pretty depressing. At least DJ and Jackson have faith in God...

gblowfish

09-28-2008, 08:34 AM

I have this bad feeling today will be as bad as when Bubby Brister came in here and kicked our ass.